Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Picked First in PL Pre-Season Women's Indoor Track & Field Poll
12/4/2001 7:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
Dec. 4, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Patriot League has released its pre-season indoor track and field polls, and Bucknell's women's team was picked by the league's coaches and sports information directors to finish first in the 2001-02 season. The men's team was predicted to finish a close second to defending league champion Army.
In the women's poll, Bucknell earned seven first-place votes to finish with 91 total points. The Bison, who finished second at last season's indoor championship, edged out last season's champion Navy, which also collected seven first place votes but accumulated only 84 total points. Army, last season's fourth-place finisher at the league meet, finished a close third with 77 points, including a pair of first-place votes.
Bucknell's women's team returns 11 place winners from last season's Indoor Patriot League Championship, including conference champions Stephanie Bango (400m, 800m, 1600m relay, 3200m relay), LaTonya McSwain (1600m relay, 3200m relay), Jamie Lilien (55m hurdles), Christie Wolfgang (1600m relay), Khadija Shariff (1600m relay) and Kelly McConnell (3200m relay).
Receiving 86 points, Bucknell's mens' squad finished 11 points behind Army in the pre-season poll. The Black Knights, winners of the last eight indoor conference championships, earned 13 first-place votes and 97 points. The Bison picked up a pair of first-place votes, and Navy also received a first-place vote and placed third in the poll with 69 points.
Ten individuals who placed among the top six at last year's league championship are back for the Bison in 2001-02. Greg Costello, who captured the 3,000 meter run last season, is the team's lone returning champion.
Bucknell, which kicked off its 2001-02 season last Saturday with the Bucknell Invitational, will continue its season this Saturday when it hosts the Blue and Orange Open.
2001-02 Patriot League Women's Indoor Track & Field Poll
1. Bucknell, 91 (7)
2. Navy, 84 (7)
3. Army, 77 (2)
4. Lehigh, 61
5. Colgate, 46
6. Lafayette, 38
7. American, 36
8. Holy Cross, 15
2001-02 Patriot League Men's Indoor Track & Field Poll
1. Army, 97 (13)
2. Bucknell, 86 (2)
3. Navy, 69 (1)
4. Lehigh, 61
5. Colgate, 46
6. American, 38
7. Lafayette, 34
8. Holy Cross, 17
